The Cottage Smallholder

Ambersparkle said:

I would not worry about the colour, taste is most important, and saving money, as far as I am concerned, and Gooseberry Jam is such a treat, wish my Gooseberries had not failed this year. Good luck!

 

Thanks Christine, if it is for our own use I don't worry too much, but I sell most of my jams etc to raise money for dog rescue charities that I support so the colour and look of the jams is really important.

I'm going to give it a go today and see what happens. Funny enough gooseberry is not a big seller anyway but I love it. Kiwi jam tastes very much like gooseberry and is lovely if you cut it into small chunks as you get such a lovely burst of flavour when you bite into the little chunks.

Ambersparkle said:

Gooseberry Jam, is my most favourite

Oh I wish I could send you some of this batch – it turned out absolutely beautiful. Its got a gorgeous ruby red colour and the flavour is better than any other batch I have made. I definitely recommend either growing or buying red gooseberries just for jam making. I only had around 885gs in the end but it produced 5 x 8oz jars and 1 x 4oz jar.

I wonder if I could wrap one up enough in bubble wrap would it travel in post ok? If so I would be happy to send you one. Christine - message me your address and I'll see if it's posible.

Well, I don't mind honestly. Just bit worried about the postal process not being that gentle and a postie once told me that if you put a 'Fragile' label on a parcel it would definitely get chucked about....which is charming.

We live close to Dartford in Kent - are you anywhere near to that?

Apple chutney - not made that yet, must give it a go sometime. I have heaps of courgettes from my daughters allotment to use up so have defrosted some plums I bought from a farm shop and intend to turn it all into Hugh's Glutney Chutney which is delicious. Made it last year and got lots of orders for it again. It basically uses up any fruit or veg glut you might have - its a River Cottage one from Hugh Fearnly thingy.

http://www.cookveg.co.uk/vegetarian-recipes/recipe.....s-glutney/

Keep any eye open for the red gooseberries - they are worth using if cheap enough.